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The phase for before the Ashes talk and squad speculation is practically finished following Australia revealed a 15-member squad to take on England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener points to the necessity for cool temperaments during the heated battle, with the newcomer named for the first time replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more relied upon as a reserve after being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other main attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has become a object for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at the top level and can welcome the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a far more assured batsman whether needed to score quickly or support the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the national team during the last few matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his positive intent and tendency to clobber huge scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the team management the confidence to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side till C